CRIME blotter

DESERT HOT SPRINGS – A fatality traffic collision occurred on Sunday, Jan. 13 at approximately 2115 hours in the14500 block of Palm Drive involving a vehicle collision versus a pedestrian. The vehicle, a 2006 Toyota Avalon, was traveling northbound on Palm Dr., when it struck the victim, an 85-year-old female, as she crossed Palm Drive. The victim was deceased at the scene.

The driver, who remained on scene after the collision, did not display any symptoms of DUI and was cooperative with the investigation.

As the scene was processed, lanes in both directions from Avenida Campanero to Park Lane were closed down and traffic was diverted. After the initial investigation was complete, all lanes were reopened several hours later.

There is an on-going investigation in this fatality collision involving a predestrian. Anyone who witnessed the accident or has information should contact the DHS Police Department at 760-329-6411.

CATHEDRAL CITY – On Tuesday, Jan. 9 at about 2020 hours, the Cathedral City Police Department received a call of an injury traffic collision occurring in the 37450 Blk of Cathedral Canyon Dr. Officers responded to the area and located the collision in the S/B lanes of Cathedral Canyon Dr.

The preliminary investigation determined that a White Dodge Ram truck,was travelling southbound on Cathedral Canyon Dr. when it struck a juvenile who was in the roadway. The driver of the truck stopped his vehicle to assist the pedestrian and called 911. As he waited for police to arrive the driver was assaulted by an unidentified male (HMA Short Blk Hair 5’ 06” 160 gray sweater/ black shorts) with a knife. The suspect then took the Dodge truck and fled from the area. The truck was reported stolen and an extensive area search was conducted.The juvenile was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Dodge truck was later located in the 31500 Blk. of El Pueblo Trail in Cathedral City. The vehicle yielded to police and the driver was taken into custody without incident. The suspect was positively identified as the assailant in the stabbing and theft of the vehicle.

Jose Matsu, 19, and a resident of Cathedral City, was charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Vehicle Theft by Force. Matsu was later transported to Indio County Jail.

The victim was a HMJ, 17, of Cathedral City. Due to the age of the juvenile his name will not be released to the public.

The driver suffered a single knife wound to the torso and transported to Desert Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The cause of the collision is under investigation and alcohol does not appear to be factor. There are no charges pending against the owner of the Dodge.

No other information is available at this time as officers are still conducting their investigation.

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